ED102: Early Childhood Curriculum

Catalogue Description: 3 units

This course will focus on developmentally appropriate curriculum development for early childhood education. Early childhood curriculum goals, objectives, and content standards related to social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development will be explored.  Curriculum will focus on the creative arts, communication and language literacy, and inquiry learning.  Emphasis will be on creating indoor and outdoor settings that promote individualized learning and support a safe and healthy environment for young children and infants.  Focus is on meeting the Child Development Associates (CDA) national standards for certification.  The course will examine the basic modules of CDA relating to creating environments and developing curriculum in the CDA interest areas to promote learning.  Students will participate through online web-based instruction and assessment integrated with preschool and infant/toddler center-based childcare fieldwork and observation.

Texts

Feeny, S, Christensen, D., & Moravcik, E. (2001). Who Am I in the Lives of Children? An Introduction to Teaching Young Children. 6^th Edition. Merrill Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

Dombro, A.L., Colker, L.J., & Dodge, D.T. (1999) The Creative Curriculum for Early Childhood. 3^rd Edition.Teaching Strategies, Inc. Washington, D.C.

Dombro, A.L., Colker, L.J., & Dodge, D.T. (1999) The Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers. Revised Edition. 2^nd Printing, 2000. Teaching Strategies, Inc. Washington, D.C.

Fieldwork CDA Self-Instruction and Assessment Manuals

Dodge, D. T., Dombro, A.L. & Koralek, D.G. (1991). Caring for Infants and Toddlers.  Volume I & II. 4^th Printing, 1999. Teaching Strategies, Inc. Washington, D.C.

Dodge, D. T. Koralek, D.G. & Pizzolongo, P.J. (1996). Caring for Preschool Children. 2^nd Edition. Volume I & II. 4^th Printing, 2000. Teaching Strategies, Inc. Washington, D.C.

Purposes of the Course

Students will:

• Gain an understanding of developmentally appropriate curriculum development.

• Develop knowledge of appropriate curriculum goals and objectives for social/emotional development, physical development, cognitive development, and language development.

•  Examine the role of the teacher in implementing an effective infant/toddler and preschool curriculum that meets early education content standards.

• Develop an understanding of how to create effective indoor and outdoor learning environments for infant/toddler and preschool classrooms.

Course Objectives:

Students will:

• Understand curriculum goals and objectives for physical, social/emotional, and cognitive development.

• Develop knowledge of early childhood content standards in the creative arts, literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and technology.

• Understand the relationship between developmentally appropriate curriculum and stages of development.

• Examine the nature and value of play as it promotes learning in physical, social/emotional, and cognitive domains.

•  Design curriculum activities that foster children’s creativity and positive self-esteem.

• Plan curriculum activities that advance physical, intellectual, and social competence.

•  Develop creative indoor and outdoor infant/toddler and preschool environments that promote learning.

• Understand the importance of schedules and routines in the lives of young children.

• Examine ways to provide individualized curriculum for each child.

• Develop strategies for collaborating with parents, family, and community members to create effective learning environments for young children.

• Know the Child Development Association (CDA) certification expectations for designing curriculum (Emphasis on Modules 3-7).

• Explore CDA interest areas: blocks, house corner, table toys, art, sand and water, library, music and movement, cooking, computers, and outdoors.

• Learn techniques of observation relating to standards and curriculum.

• Observe early childhood professionals in assessment and evaluation of early childhood curriculum activities.

• Explore books, references, media, electronic, and online resources useful for developing and planning developmentally appropriate curriculum.